Alcatel-Lucent and Surfline Communications Ltd deploy first 4G LTE network in West and Central Africa

ACCRA, Ghana and PARIS, July 9, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris andNYSE: ALU) and Surfline Communications Ltd today announced the first commercial deployment of a 4G LTE network in Ghana and, more general, in Western and Central Africa.

Alcatel-Lucent will provide hardware and software, along with installation, optimization, maintenance and managed services, helping Surfline roll out next-generation mobile communications in response to rapidly increasing data demand driven by the proliferation of lower cost smart phones.

The new IP architecture-based network will give Surfline the ability to quickly and economically expand mobile broadband capacity as customer demand grows. The 4G LTE network will provide Surfline customers access to social networking sites, Internet browsing, e-mail, online gaming, streamed videos and video calling with dramatically increased performance. 

Surfline believes the Ghanaian market has matured beyond the products and services currently available in the market. This is especially true in the data sector. As a data-centric communications provider Surfline will address national requirements for broadband connectivity that will greatly contribute to Ghana's social and economic growth.

Key Facts:

• Initial coverage by the network to include the capital, Accra, followed by all major cities and a nationwide rollout.  
• Affordable country-wide broadband connectivity will act as a catalyst for the development of a digital-based economy by increasing information and communications technology (ICT) literacy.
• In Ghana, and elsewhere in Africa, 4G LTE is expected to transform the use of technology with regards to mobile consumers, healthcare, transportation, energy, security, agriculture, sales and payments industries and infrastructure.
• Alcatel-Lucent is deploying its industry-leading 4G LTE ultra high-speed mobile broadband product capabilities which include:
  • LTE Radio Access Network
  • Evolved Packet Core
  • Professional services to install, optimize, maintain and manage the LTE network

Quotes:

John Taylor, Executive Chairman of Surfline said: "We chose Alcatel-Lucent to build and operate our LTE network because of the strong trust and relationship we developed – and the experience that Alcatel-Lucent has on LTE as a technology, as well as its strong presence in Africa, including Ghana. Alcatel-Lucent's ultra fast broadband solution, market positioning and 4G LTE leadership were essential for our decision."

Daniel Jaeger, Vice-President of Alcatel-Lucent in Africa said: "The recent announcement of Alcatel-Lucent's 'Shift Plan' underlined the importance of our technological edge in next-generation access technologies. Africa represents a major opportunity for growth in ultra-Broadband, and it is a significant part of our strategy to form strategic partnerships with operators like Surfline, who are committed to making a positive contribution to people's lives. Surfline, its customers and Alcatel-Lucent will all benefit from the deployment of our market leading 4G LTE solution in Ghana."

Helpful Links

• Wireless IP for Mobile Broadband
• 4G LTE
• Evolved Packet Core

About Surfline
Surfline Communications Limited is Ghana's first 4G LTE service-provider launching in Q1 of 2014. The company was established to provide wireless broadband and related services to the Ghanaian market. It's Surfline's vision to establish a high-speed network that can be used for multiple data-centric services and applications for the betterment of the country's overall infrastructure. Surfline is owned by Woodfields Energy Services a 100% Ghanaian owned firm and headquartered in Accra, Ghana. More information will be loaded soon at: http://surflinegh.com.

About Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris andNYSE: ALU)
The long-trusted partner of service providers, enterprises and governments around the world, Alcatel-Lucent is a leading innovator in the field of networking and communications technology, products and services. The company is home to Bell Labs, one of the world's foremost research centers, responsible for breakthroughs that have shaped the networking and communications industry.

Alcatel-Lucent innovations are regularly recognized by international institutions for their positive impact on society. In 2012 and for the second year running, Alcatel-Lucent was named one of the Thomson Reuters Top 100 Global Innovators, recognition for the company's continued addition to its world-class patent portfolio, one of the largest in the telecom industry. Alcatel-Lucent has also been recognized for its sustainability performance.  In 2012 the company was ranked Technology Supersector Leader by the Dow Jones Sustainability Index. Through its innovations, Alcatel-Lucent is making communications more sustainable, more affordable and more accessible as we pursue our mission of Realizing the Potential of a Connected World.

With operations throughout the world, Alcatel-Lucent is a local partner with global reach. The Company achieved revenues of Euro 14.4 billion in 2012 and is incorporated in France and headquartered in Paris.

For more information, visit Alcatel-Lucent on: http://www.alcatel-lucent.com, read the latest posts on the Alcatel-Lucent blog http://www.alcatel-lucent.com/blog and follow the Company on Twitter: http://twitter.com/Alcatel_Lucent.

SOURCE Alcatel-Lucent

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